residency opportunity: c.r.e.t.a. Rome

by | May 12, 2015 | Uncategorized

Just a few more days to apply for an artist residency this fall at c.r.e.t.a. rome.  The deadline for applications is 15 May.  There are 6-week residency periods from 14 August through 23 September,  25 September through 4 November and 6 November through 16 December. All of the information for the application process is on-line (www.cretarome.com/#!application-/c1x58).

We offer self-funded artist residencies for
ceramicists and visual artists for periods of 4, 6 to 12 weeks
(in set periods, see the dates on our web-site). The cost for 6-weeks is €3000, €2000 for 4 weeks. Firing and materials are not included.

In the center of Rome, the residency fee covers a
semi-private equipped studio, housing in the historical center of Rome,
and technical assistance in procuring materials, etc., advice on
museums, galleries and sites in Rome and beyond. We have two electric kilns in the studio, one for low-fire and the other for high-fire. Artists have the
opportunity to focus on their art, whether it be creating a new body of
work, expanding a well-established oeuvre or allowing themselves to draw
inspiration from their surroundings and the centuries of culture that
define the eternal city. In addition, they will have access to the
wealth of galleries and exhibitions in Rome and beyond. There is also a final group exhibition of works produced during the residency period.
In the case of the residency in
the countyside near Bracciano, the residency fee covers acommodation in a
1-bedroom house and a private studio. We use the second ceramic studio plus the garden area. This option is
particularly attractive for ceramic artists who work with reduction
firing and/or collaborative projects or those who wish to bring a
spouse/companion and or their family. There
is a supplementary fee for family and/or collaborators. The house is
2.5km from the nearest train station with regular train service to Rome.
We also provide a couple of bikes.
The house in the countryside
is really
lovely and great if you are looking for some tranquility and also
reduction firing. We have a 150lt. electric kiln for low-fire plus a
smaller 60lt. high-fire electric kiln. In addition, we have several
lustre and raku gas kilns there plus a 500lt. gas iln for larger pieces.
The work produced in this residency will also been shown in the final group show in our studio in the center of Rome.

If you are interested in 2016 artist residencies, check-out our web-site for the dates for spring and summer residencies (http://www.cretarome.com/#!residency-schedule/c1jwi).

 All best,
Lori-Ann & Paolo
Lori-Ann Touchette and Paolo Porelli

Art of the Pot – this weekend!

by | May 8, 2015 | Uncategorized

2015 Studio Tour | May 9 & 10
Sat – 10 to 5pm, Sun – 12 to 5pm*

*Claudia Reese’s Studio will open at 10 am Sunday for Brunch

Art of the Pot is a collective of Austin based potters committed to
expanding the reach and understanding of contemporary studio pottery
through studio tours, public lectures and gallery and museum
exhibitions.

Art of the Pot was founded in 2004 as a way to bring some much-needed
emphasis and interest to the contemporary pottery scene here in
Austin.  The goals of the founding members were modest at that time;
invite a few potters from out of town to come to their studios for a
weekend show and sale and give the public a chance to see something new
in the field of contemporary pottery.

After over 10 years, the modest beginnings have bloomed into a fully
formed studio tour with national recognition.  Annually the Art of the
Pot principles host 10 or more invited guests from across the country in
their studios for an event-filled weekend.  This year’s host are
Melissa Mencini, Ryan McKerley, Lisa Orr, and Claudia Reese. With
funding from the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Grant our programming
has expanded to include public lectures and educational events.  We
continue to develop wonderful and unique partnerships with local
restaurants, galleries and businesses that help us further the goal of
our group, to expand the reach of contemporary studio pottery throughout
Austin, Texas and the greater community.

www.artofthepot.com

THE WORLD’S LEADING CERAMICISTS RALLY FOR NEPAL

by | May 6, 2015 | Uncategorized

Press Release – Wednesday 6 May 2015

Next week more than 80 artworks donated by acclaimed ceramic artists and potters
around the world will go under the hammer in ‘Clay For Nepal’, an online project
initiated by celebrated Melbourne artist Vipoo Srivilasa, to raise funds for devastated
earthquake victims.

According to Srivilasa the response from the world’s ceramics community has been
overwhelming with pieces donated by more than 30 highly collectable artists including
Australia’s Pippin Drysdale and Belgium’s Ann Van Hoey.

artwork by Vipoo Srivilasa

‘After seeing the terrible footage, I felt that I had to do something.’

‘I realised that together with my colleagues we could auction our work to make a
substantial contribution to the relief effort,’ he said.

Srivilasa is renowned for bringing communities together through ceramics and in 2011
raised over $20,000 in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Yasi for the Queensland Flood
Appeal.

The rising death toll since the April 25 earthquake has now reached more than 7,500
and foreign aid will play a critical role in providing emergency shelter, medical
supplies, sanitation, safe drinking water and rebuilding the districts hardest hit.

‘Clay for Nepal’ artworks will go to auction from 6am AEST Friday 15 May to 9pm
AEST Sunday 17 May with more affordable pieces available from the project’s online
store. All proceeds from art sales will go to OXFAM Australia: Nepal Earthquake Relief
Appeal.

Go to www.clayfornepal.com and follow #clayfornepal15 on Facebook and Instagram
for latest updates and details.

Media enquiries and images contact Vipoo Srivilasa, 0425 710 149, [email protected]

The Narrative Dish @ the Sask Craft Council

by | Apr 22, 2015 | Uncategorized

The Narrative Dish
Selected by ceramic artist and musing about
mud blog editor, Carole Epp; the exhibition The
Narrative Dish brings together a group Canadian ceramic makers whose work
makes significant investigations into the use of narrative and imagery on
functional tableware. Specifically, this is a group of six female artists whose
awareness and understanding of each other’s professional practices makes for
the perfect storm, or maelstrom if you will, of storytellers.
Fundamentally, what makes a good story…how
does one weave a good narrative and what is the best way to get that story to
stand the test of time? Of course there is the tradition of passing down
stories through oral legacies and by means of pen and paper. Storytelling
formats include everything from audio and videotape, book and newspaper and
currently all sorts of technological and virtual formats as introduced via the
computer times we now live in. Let us add to the list the realm of art…and more
specifically ceramics that has a far-reaching history of serving as a narrative
conduit. An indelible and permanent material, clay materials long outlive its
makers, stand all sorts of tests of time and by virtue serves as the one of the
most perfect vehicles for story telling.
The predominance of narrative imagery that
graces the functional ware of virtually every ceramic-producing culture throughout history has
long since depicted the people, values and culture. In effect, the practice of
placing and impressing imagery upon a material of such permanence has served as
a record keeper of sorts that continues to this day. It is the longstanding
lineage of such a practice that served as an inspiration for bringing together
contemporary artists for an investigation into contemporary Canadian portrayals
of social narrative.
As core values in society shift slowly but
noticeably towards a reaffirmation of the value of the handmade, these artists
represent a new generation of clay artists who are using their chosen medium to
depict our times in the most intriguing of ways. Some of the artists embrace
and employ their narrative ceramic practice through au so courant illustrative means
that are currently trending through “indie” design aesthetics while others opt
for a more humble retelling of contemporary narratives. Some retell and record
their stories with a sense of refined grace that has rubbed off on us via the
world of graphic design while others employ a visceral meat-and-potato approach
to aesthetics more akin to the worlds of folk art, comics and cartoons. Using
the concept of the narrative as a vehicle for their artistic endeavors, each of
the selected artists in this exhibition is well versed, and ergo, serve as
prime examples of how specific technical and aesthetic choices make for the
retelling of their stories in the most unique ways. These artists I believe have  captured a feel for the culture and
interests that comprise contemporary Canadian society today.
While a diverse and broad range of ceramic
practitioners currently work within the genre; thus affording a large breadth
of artists to select from, these particular makers were selected to represent a
certain subsection within the genre. Each of the artists help to identify
either a specific female narrative; a generational narrative, a design based
aesthetic and even narratives of a geographical nature.
  
Participating artists:
Elizabeth Burritt, Jenn Demke Lange, Cathy
Terepocki, Mariko Paterson, Carole Epp, Aura Carney
Please check out the exhibition online here.